Additional Information

Breeding Season:

Breeding Age:

Clutch Size: 5-12 eggs.

Incubation Period:: 27-29 days.

Description - Male: Quite unlike any other pheasant species is appearance,
resembles partridge in both size and shape. The nominate race cruentus
has a white crest, black line under and over the eye with red orbitial skin and
throat. The upper breast is pale buff with red streaks, the lower breast and
belly is light buff with marked the same as above but more pronounced. The rest
of the body is streaked gray, white and buff. The tail is red also streaked with
gray and buff. The main differences in the subspecies is the amount of red on
breast and the markings on the face.

Description - Female: The face, forehead and throat are light rust;
the top of the head and the back of the neck are gray. The rest of the body is is
overall light brown vermiculated with darker brown.

Status in Captivity: I cannot find any sources in American
aviaries or zoos. The latest records of this species was in the 1970s when
Charles Sivelle had produced chicks. As far as I know (as of 12-2007,
please e-mail me if you know otherwise), there are no Blood Pheasants in
captivity in America. The species has been recently bred in Belgium by Francois Bernar.

Misc Notes: Francois Bernar mentioned that they are
cared for in the same fashion as grouse in captivity.

Visitor Submitted Notes: If you would like to add your experiences
with this species, please send submission requests here.

The following information was provided by Ted Norris, February 06, 1999.

Resident in Qinghai, Gansu, Shaanxi, Yunnan, Tibet, Shanxi, Henan and Sichuan.
Inhabits rather high altitude, near snow line, or lower places in winter. In
flocks of 4-20 in non-breeding season, up to 40 in winter.
Descends from trees before daybreak to wood margins, gradually moving to and
wandering in willow stands with lawns nearby or mixed forests of pine, fir and
beech trees. Picks up food with its bill, seldom digs for food with claws but
sometimes jumps up to shrubs to feed. Naps at noon and spends night at azalea
twigs.

A good runner but poor flier. Rushes down hills, if at risk, and hides
under stones. Scatters during breeding season and pairs in mid April. Between
late April and early May, female builds a nest under paddy straw heaps
surrounded by pine, fir and willow trees; in shrubs; under rocks; by fallen
trees; or in tree holes near the ground. A shallow saucer nest of dry twigs
lined with leaves; or of leaves, thin tree roots and mosses; piled up and
then pressed and decorated with usnea outside; or of paddy straws and leaves,
wormwood, pine needles, mosses and dry twigs lined with belly feathers.
Eggs: 5-14, often 6-7; long oval, varying in size; pink or yellowish white
with dark brown or rufous speckles; laid in May; incubated by female but
guarded by male for 29-33 days; and covered with dry grass or feather when
female is leaving. In a habit of moving the eggs or deserting the nest if at
risk. Chicks seen in mid June, able to follow mother to feed at two days old.
Lives in a covey till winter.